Justin Gatlin medal ceremony moved to reduce risk of jeers from London 2017 crowd after drug cheat’s shock 100 metres win
Controversial American will receive medal in front of half-full stadium as IAAF try to avoid embarrassment of more boos as Gatlin receives gold
JUSTIN GATLIN'S medal ceremony to receive his 100 metres gold has been moved by the IAAF in a bid to avoid another full house abusing the world champion.
Gatlin's shock victory over Usain Bolt and Christian Coleman last night was greeted by universal boos and jeers from the 60,000 sell-out crowd at the London Stadium.
The deafening display of resentment from the British crowd shocked organisers as their blue riband event threw the spotlight of the sport's problems fighting drug abuse firmly on the IAAF's shoulders.
What they had hoped would be a crowning moment for Bolt to end his career in a blaze of glory and cheers suddenly turned into a PR nightmare as Gatlin was forced to cut short a lap of honour because nobody wanted to cheer for him.
For months the schedule for the entire Championshps has been set in stone with organisers planning races and ceremonies to ensure maximum exposure for fans and television viewers around the globe.
And the coronation of the 100m world champion was supposed to be held at 8pm tonight - right in the middle of events with the stadium full and TV audiences expected to be at their peak.
But anxious to avoid a repeat of the boos that rained down on Gatlin last night, officials have suddenly decided to move the presentation of the medals to before any action has even taken place on the track tonight.
The medal will now be presented to Gatlin at 6.50pm, a time when the arena is usually only half full as spectators make their way through security and try to find their seats.
It is a clear effort to try to dampen down the cries of protest that are expected when the 35-year-old climbs to the top step of the podium.
And it also deprives young prospect Coleman of savouring his moment in front of a packed crowd as he collects his first major medal - and superstar Bolt another opportunity to wave goodbye to a packed crowd.
Bolt took his lap of honour last night in his final individual race before retirement - and then refused to have his mood spoilt as he partied in a London burlesque club into the early hours.
